Manchester United Talks to U.S. Coach Mauricio Pochettino as Michael Carrick's Job Hangs by a Thread

Manchester United have opened talks with Mauricio Pochettino about replacing head coach Michael Carrick, GB News reported ^[1]. Carrick, 45, is expected to be sacked, and the club's leadership, including minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, met in Monaco on Wednesday to discuss his position ^[1].

For American fans, the story has a twist: Pochettino is the head coach of the U.S. men's national team. The New York Post reported that U.S. star Antonee Robinson has spoken about the rumors linking his national team coach to Old Trafford ^[5].

A historic slump

United are in deep trouble. NBC News reported that one of the world's biggest clubs has taken only 8 points from its first 10 matches ^[4]. The Independent reported it is the club's worst start to a domestic season in 40 years ^[3], and that a chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa left United stuck in the bottom three of the Premier League during the international break ^[2].

For a club that won 13 league titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, being in a relegation fight is almost unthinkable. Fans who grew up on trophies are now watching the table nervously from the bottom. Relegation would cost the club hundreds of millions in television money and could force it to sell its best players.

Who is in charge

The BBC reported that Berrada and Wilcox retain the support of Ratcliffe, whose group runs football operations at the club, even as Carrick's future is in doubt ^[6]. That means the same leadership that hired Carrick will choose his successor, a point critics have seized on.

Why Pochettino

Pochettino has managed some of Europe's biggest clubs, and The Independent reported that Ferguson himself praised him years ago ^[2]. United fans have long seen him as a natural fit. Whether he would leave the U.S. job, and when, is now the question on both sides of the Atlantic.

What it means for the U.S.

American soccer has invested heavily in Pochettino's leadership. Losing a coach to a club job would force U.S. Soccer to find a replacement and could unsettle a squad built around his plans. It would also be a sign of how highly the world's biggest clubs rate him, which in its own way is a compliment to the American program.

What to watch

Watch for an announcement from Manchester United on Carrick's future, and for any statement from U.S. Soccer. If Pochettino goes to Old Trafford, he will inherit a club with enormous expectations and a team fighting for survival. If he stays, United will have to look elsewhere, and quickly. Either way, the fallout will reach American fans.

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